Master Sergeant Joseph Mickel “Joe” Powers (USAF Retired), 86, died peacefully in his Biloxi, MS, home on May 27, 2018.
Joe was born on April 17, 1932 in Grand Rapids, MI, to John and Edna Powers. In 1950 he joined the U.S. Air Force and served until his retirement in 1970. Following his retirement from the military, he owned several local businesses including a car rental agency, a refrigerator rental company, and an apartment complex.
Joe was an active member of the Rodenberg Avenue Church of Christ where he served as one of the Elders of the congregation. Joe and Melba enjoyed traveling the world and visited all 50 states. Joe was also a Past Master of the Biloxi Masonic Lodge and led community recovery efforts following hurricane Katrina. He will be remembered by his family, his church and his friends as a man of great generosity who was always willing to help and serve others. “Mr. Joe” loved God and shared him any way he could.
Joe was preceded in death by his sons, Ray Keith and Michael Sha who died in infancy.
Joe is survived by his wife of over 64 years, the former Melba Jo Faulkenberry; his daughter, Brenda Kay Pugh and her husband Terry of D’Iberville, MS; and his sons, Victor Allen Powers and his wife Vicki of Norfolk, VA, and Billy Joe Powers and his wife Melody of Dover, FL. In addition, he is survived by numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his sisters, Sharon Oakley of Lake Havasu City, AZ, Stasia Daniels of Shelton, WA and brother, Timothy Powers of Tacoma, WA.
Visitation will take place at the Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home on Tuesday, May 29, 2018 from 5:00 pm ~ 7:00 pm. A funeral service will be officiated by Bill Denton on Wednesday, May 30, 2018 at the Rodenberg Avenue Church of Christ, in Biloxi MS at 1:00 pm where friends may visit from 12:00 pm until service time. Interment will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery.
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